Kalamazoo-area branch of the American Association of University Women celebrates 100th birthday May 20

On May 20, 2014, the Kalamazoo Area branch of AAUW will celebrate our 100th birthday with a dinner at the Ladies’ Library Association.

In 1914, a group of women college graduates formed a national group named the Association of Collegiate Alumnae. The local branch met to discuss issues of the day, such as women’s suffrage and education for women, as well as to serve the war effort with the Red Cross and to work with local service groups.

In 1922 their name was changed to the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Women now had the right to vote and continued to work on both local and national issues.

During the 1930s, '40s, and '50s, the Kalamazoo Area branch worked in areas including civil rights, school integration, electoral politics, prevention of nuclear war and education for women. They were active during WWII in providing day/nursery care for children of working women. The Sarah Swickard nursery school at WMU was part of their efforts along with daycare located in public schools until 1965.

AAUW supported women’s higher education by providing scholarships funded by an annual book sale. This was held first in Bronson Park and then at WestMain Mall and various other malls until 1998, the date of the last sale,which netted $10,000.

From the 1960s on, AAUW continue to be active in issues of public importance, supporting women’s reproductive rights,legal representation of women in discrimination cases,and pay equity.

In 2007, the branch promoted a program of support for The Kalamazoo Promise a philanthropic program set up by anonymous donors to provide a free college education for any graduate of Kalamazoo Public Schools. Because preparation for college requires a long lead time all second graders are provided with a copy of “I Know I Can,” a book which encourages thinking about careers and education beyond public school. The Rotary Club of Kalamazoo now supports this program in the public schools.